« When I buy clothes that are too large, instead of returning them I keep them as pyjamas - that’s my very bad pyjama strategy! »

Cheeky and charming Lea is a graphic designer & art director who works in Central London.

She lives in a cool studio flat in Finsbury Park with boyfriend and video-artist Chris - and happily shared her tips on how to fuel creativity at home.

3 steps morning routine

My alarm is the radio as I find phone alarms quite stressful.  I listen to classic FM because Chris refuses to listen to anything else in the morning.

I make some scented black tea. One of my favourite is F&M’s Fortmason - it has a delicious orange-blossom favour.

I then cycle to work, where I eat breakfast and have coffee!

Detail of the kitchen's postcard collection

3 steps evening routine

I often go out for drinks with colleagues. If we fancy cocktails or wine go to Soho House which is literally 2 doors down from work or to the 68 & Boston on Greek street.

When I come home, I start cooking straight away. I like to do stir-fries in which I put all the vegs I can find in my fridge - I’m part of Growing Communities and I receive a bag of organic and local vegetables every week. I have cookbooks but I never really open them. When I have a specific ingredient I want to use, I look for a recipe online - usually on BBC Goodfood or the Growing Communities website.

Then Chris and I watch series or movies on streaming. Last one was Wild wild country, a documentary on the Rajneesh, some sort of Indian cult that settled in Oregon in the 1980s.

Lea's eclectic plant pots

Top 3 creative moments at home

I receive Oh Comely Magazine once a month and I love it. I always learn something new and I feel it opens up my horizon.

I love watching movies in the cinema and often go to the Picture House in Crouch End or Hackney Central - Chris and I have a dual membership.

I’m a huge fan of graphic novels. I borrow them from friends or I go to Gosh in Soho to look up new releases. My favourite authors are Chris Ware, Daniel Clowes and Adrian Tomine.

Simple but not simpler

Top 3 relaxing moments and habits

Watching reality TV is the best way to relax! The big thing at the moment is Love Island, that we’ve been dutifully watching for a month and a half now!

I try to go to community yoga classes at least twice a week - or to the YMCA in KX to do Ballet barre on Wednesday nights. The teacher is a former ballerina and she chooses super cheesy pop music for routines - I love it!

At weekends I go brunching with friends, staying local: Blighty coffee, Salt the radish or Fink’s Salt & Sweet.

Working on a floral print

Secret life hacks

I repurpose vases as water jugs, adding charcoal in to purify the water.

Most treasured possession

A jumper that Chris embroidered especially for me. It's based on a fabric patch my best friend sent me from Canada that says “Ne care pas” and I feel it totally epitomises who I am!

Lea ne care pas

Worst pyjama set

I’m really bad at choosing pyjamas. I usually wear a t-shirt that dates back to the 90s and some random pj bottoms. I wouldn’t dare wear them in front of anyone! When I buy clothes that are too large, instead of returning them I keep them as pyjamas - that’s my very bad pyjama strategy!

Dream home outfit

A legging and a hoodie in a dense jersey, slightly oversized, and in dark colours as I find them more flattering.

Culture vulture - Lea’s current recommandations:

Last series:

HBO's Westworld. The beginning is a bit slow but then it becomes totally gripping, and I can’t wait to watch S2!

Last book:

The Story Of A New Name (2013) by Elena Ferrante. It's a sort of coming-of-age story and my whole family has read it. They can't get enough of it and I'm now hooked myself!

Last movie:

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) by Ron Howard. Entertaining but not that good…

Last recipe:

Homemade chocolate coconut bars - inspired by the Pret ones!

Last playlist:

it really depends on my mood but for work I would say Marina and the Diamond - super motivating!

Favourite Insta accounts:

@thefatjewish - I can’t stop laughing. And @theguthealthdoctor for healthy inspiration and true facts about food.